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Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif gestures during an interview in Islamabad on April 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
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Pakistan Defence Minister said on Monday (April 28, 2025) “a military incursion” by India was imminent in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, as tensions rise between the neighbours.
The attack killed 26 people and triggered outrage in India, along with calls for action against Pakistan.
“We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken,” Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters in an interview at his office in Islamabad.
Mr. Asif said that Pakistan’s military had briefed the government on the possibility of an Indian attack. He did not go into further details on his reasons for thinking an incursion was imminent.
The External Affairs and Defence Ministries in New Delhi did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Pakistan was on high alert but would only use its nuclear weapons if “there is a direct threat to our existence,” said Mr. Asif
‘Act of war’
The Minister added that Islamabad had approached friendly countries, including Gulf states and China, and also briefed Britain, the United States and others on the situation.
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“Some of our friends in the Arabian Gulf have talked to both sides,” Mr. Asif said, without naming the countries.
China said on Monday (April 28, 2025) it hoped for restraint and welcomed all measures to cool down the situation. Mr. Asif said the United States was thus far “staying away” from intervening in the matter.
Delhi and Islamabad have taken a raft of measures against each other since the attack. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines.
Mr. Asif said it was an “act of war” to deprive vulnerable areas of water, and that the treaty, which has weathered past conflicts, was backed by international guarantors.
“We have already gone to relevant quarters as far this treaty is concerned,” he said, calling on the international community and the World Bank to protect the pact.
Published – April 29, 2025 01:13 am IST
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Pakistan Defence Minister says ‘military incursion’ by India is imminent
